Five days after King Seo-Jung died, the procession to put the King to rest started with the Queen in the lead. After approximately three hours, the procession has reached the King's final resting place. Several Eunuchs lifted and carried the King's intricate casket and placed it inside the tomb that the late King built when he was alive. The wails of those loyal to the late King did not cease but persisted well into the night.
On the seventh day after the death of the king, everyone prepares for the coronation of the new king. Jin-Ri prepares Prince Young-Sik's royal robes. "Not that," Young-Sik said from behind
Jin-Ri bowed and asked, "What would you have me prepare for the coronation, Your Highness?"
"Prepare my military uniform," Young-Sik said sternly
"But Your Highness, this is a coronation, not a war, protocol dictates that you must wear your dragon robes," Jin-Ri respectfully protests
Young-Sik calmly replied, "We are at war." he then left the room
Jin-Ri sensing something is amiss, can do nothing but pick and prepare the prince's Black and Red uniform.
Hours later, in the courtyard, people from all walks of life gathered and came to witness the coronation procession. The moment they were all waiting for had finally begun, crowned Prince Lee Man-Ju marched elegantly with his crown, with twelve beaded strings, his reddish to black robes flowed gracefully with the mild breeze, a belt lined with jade lay elegantly along his waist, a rosy colored skirt-like lower garment trailed the crowned prince.
He is followed by his entourage and servants, and at the very last of the procession was Prince Young-Sik and the royal guards. Jin-Ri trails just behind her master.
Young-Sik and the royal guards stayed at the bottom of the great steps, while the King and his servants ascended the stairs. He is settled on the throne, and the golden seal is handed to him by the now Dowager Queen Eri.
Minister Gi performed the three solemn calls or edicts of his coronation. Everyone present during the coronation performed three kowtows (Kneeling with forehead touching the ground)
The people then chanted, "Long life and longevity, Your Highness!"
After his ascension, he left the courtyard and went directly to the courtroom to meet with all the ministers. He changed from his coronation robes to his official red robes and sat on the throne, while Dowager Queen Eri sat on the far left of the King. One by one, the ministers introduced themselves, the office they represent, and swore allegiance to the King.
The King read the accession edict, where he promised to rule justly and fairly. He promised provisions to the labor class and to reduce crime within the country. He read an edict where he promised to defend the country from threats outside and within Chiongsun
After the formal proceedings, King Man-Ju addressed the assembly, saying, "I want to thank each of you for sharing in the grief of our late King. However, now we must look ahead for the benefit of our cherished Chiongsun."
The King then unrolled a scroll and began to read its contents aloud. "I hereby announce my initial decrees. Minister Im will be elevated to the position of Minister of Education, tasked with ensuring the education of Chiongsun's youth. Physician Go will be promoted to Minister Go, leading the newly formed Office of Health. Additionally, General Shin will be advanced to Minister Shin, serving as the Chief Minister responsible for all military matters." He then set the scroll aside and awaited the response from the left-wing ministers.
As he expected, whispers and murmurs roamed about the left wing, while cheers and adulation came from the right. Minister Gi spoke, showing his verdant disapproval. "Your Highness! This is highly irregular, you should have discussed the appointments first, during a formal proceeding. Please retract your…."
Just as he was about to complete his protest, a sharp sensation grazed his neck. Minister Gi, along with the rest of the assembly, froze in disbelief as Prince Young-Sik brandished his sword, pressing it menacingly against the minister's throat. "Utter another disrespectful word about the King, and I will take your head right here!" he warned fiercely.
Minister Gi cast a glance at Minister Lim, his eyes silently pleading for assistance. Minister Lim took the opportunity to voice his objections to Prince Young-Sik's behavior, stating, "Your Highness, the captain of the guard's actions are simply intolerable."
Man-Ju, however, merely smirked at the Minister, retorting, "What exactly is intolerable, Minister Lim? Is it the prince's defense of the King against sharp tongues? Or perhaps it's the fact that he intends to discipline anyone who dares to disrespect the throne?" The King then rose to his feet, declaring, "For far too long, the courts have been dominated by childish Ministers and Councilors like you!" He pointed at the left-wing ministers, emphasizing, "The Prince is here to remind you that you are to obey my commands, not the other way around!"
Minister Lim was caught off guard, left momentarily speechless by the shocking revelation. Just then, Prince Young-Sik roughly pushed him back into position, his eyes narrowing with a predatory intensity. The prince then took his place at the foot of the King's pedestal. Amid the tension, Minister Lim discreetly glanced at the dowager Queen, who pointedly avoided his eyes.
Once again, the King said, "The prince is no longer serving as the captain of the guards; he will now fill the role that General Shin has left behind." He moved down from the pedestal to stand alongside his brother. "In this new capacity, he is granted the right to be present at these proceedings, and as a general, he is allowed to have his sword with him at all times."
Prince Young-Sik addressed the crowd, saying, "With the King's authorization, I have sent a request to your households for copies of your financial documents and business activities. I will scrutinize them for any illicit actions. Those found to be in violation will be punished on the spot!"
The assembly was left reeling from the prince's shocking announcement. A daring left-wing minister couldn't hold back, declaring, "This is beyond unacceptable! You can't do this to us!" He then faced the King, questioning, "How can you condone such a disgrace?"
Young-Sik charged toward the minister, his hands gripping the man's head as he twisted it with brutal force, breaking his neck. The minister fell to the ground, his eyes wide open, staring into the abyss. "I want it to be clear: I am an executioner. I will take down anyone who disrespects the King, without a moment's hesitation or mercy!" the prince declared, standing over the lifeless body of the left-wing minister.
The declaration from Prince Young-Sik sent shivers through the ministers, who from both sides of the aisle hung their heads in apprehension. King Man-Ju smirked, realizing that the fear his younger brother evoked was his strongest weapon against any challenger. He felt an unwavering confidence that the true power was undeniably his.
In the back of the courtroom, Jin-Ri clasped her hands over her mouth, struggling to comprehend that she was in service to a heartless monster. "Your Highness…why?" she pondered silently.
That night, Young-Sik remained true to his promise, dedicating countless hours to scrutinizing the ministers' records and cross-referencing them with official documents. He toiled late into the night, fueled by determination and with the help of Jin-Ri at his side. "Jin-Ri, what are you reading there? Bring me the records I asked for," Young-Sik told his court maiden
"Sorry, Your Highness, I'll bring the records you asked for," Jin-Ri informed the prince, as she returned the books she was reading
After meticulously reviewing all the records, he compiled a list of ministers, councilors, and government officials with discrepancies. Armed with this royal mandate and a squad of soldiers, Prince Young-Sik marched to the homes of the ministers.
Young-Sik began a brutal campaign against corruption, He became judge, jury, and executioner. He did not discriminate who he punished; all he could see in them was sin, and the punishment was death!
He kicked open the gates of one residence on his list, catching the first minister in the act of fleeing with his ill-gotten treasures. The household erupted in chaos at the sight of the prince. With a commanding gesture, the soldiers swiftly took control, seizing the minister's wealth while two of them forced him to kneel before the prince in submission.
The minister, in tears, begs for his life and those of his family: "Your Highness, please have mercy; spare our lives, I beg of you!"
Jin-Ri trailed the prince and watched the events unfold in a secluded area. "Please, my prince, make the right decision."
Young-Sik's eyes burned with fury as he fixed his gaze upon the minister. "Your family has no place in this reckoning!" With a swift motion, he unleashed a brutal kick that sent the minister sprawling to the ground. "But you, Min Dok-du, Minister of Treasure, are marked by your sins of corruption and coveting that which belongs to the King. I hereby condemn you to death!" Drawing his sword, he drove it mercilessly into the minister's chest, twisting the blade to ensure the finality of his act.
Jin-Ri gasped, a sound of horror escaping her lips, but she quickly stifled it, "He has gone mad," She thought to herself while looking at her master, who was swallowed by the abyss.
The chilling cries of horror resonated through the night as the minister's family mourned the horrific fate that had befallen him at the hands of the prince. Young-Sik's attention was drawn to the concealed presence of Jin-Ri, an unshakeable feeling of dread coursing through him. With a swift, instinctive movement, Jin-Ri recoiled from the prince's watchful eyes, disappearing into the enveloping gloom.
The prince gestured at his soldiers as they moved on to their next target to continue with their purge. Jin-Ri made sure that the prince had already left before she hastily made her way back to the palace.
Minister Lim and his cohorts convene to discuss the threat of the prince's purge. "What are we going to do with the prince?" a councilor asked
"It will be only a matter of time before he crashes into our door!" Another pointed out
"SILENCE!" Minister Lim shouted, "Nothing will be solved if we panic." he reminded them
"Then tell us what we must do to stop the prince. If you will not be able to think of a plan, I will withdraw my support." Another minister threatened
Minister Gi intervenes, "You will do no such thing. Minister Lim and I have been squeezing this province dry for a long time; they are ready to revolt, and the minister agreed to my suggestion to pit the prince against the citizens of that province." He informed them, laying the groundwork for their plan
"The prince will be forced to fight against that province. Whether he succeeds or not is beneficial for us," Minister Lim concluded